Grinding machine



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W. LE R. BRYANT GRINDING MACHINE Filed Jul 20. 1921 16 sheets-sheet 1e Patented Mar. 9, 1926.

UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRINDING MACHINE.

To all whom it may. concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LE ROY BRYANT, a citizen ofthe'United States, re-

siding at Springfield, in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grinding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to grinding machines of the type in which the work is suitably held in work supports and is rotated during the grinding operation.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide certain improvements for increasing the production and enhancing the accuracy of operation of such machines, and also to enable the machine to grind different diameters of the work at one operation, thereby saving a rehandling of the work as would be necessary if one portion of the work having a certain diameter were ground in one machine and another portion of the Work having a different diameter were ground in a second 'machine or by a second operation.

The further objects of the invention are to secure a greater stability of the work by eliminating any marked over-hang of the work supports or centers; to provide improved means for mounting the grinding wheel and the work-supporting mechanism so that one is fixedly held and the other is moved about an axis to effect the relative feed of the work and the wheel; to provide for an improved automatic control of the feeding mechanism; to provide an automatic control for the work holders by which the work may be automatically engaged and disengaged or released; and to provide an automatic control for *the water which is delivered to the grinding wheels so that the flow of water may be stopped automatically at the completion of the grinding operation; and to provide an automatic control for the work-rotating mechanism so that a cessation of rotation of the work may be effected on the completion of the grinding operation. Additional objects of the inventron are to provide an improved truing mechanism for the grinding wheel in which a better and more stable control is eifected;

Application filed July 20, 1921. Serial No. 486,080.

to provide for a relative reciprocation and transverse feed of the truing mechanism of the grinding wheel, in which one of the instrumentalities is mounted to move towards the other about a fixed center; to provide templateor control bars which are interchangeable and adjustable so that the accurate truing of the wheels is not dependent upon the skill of the operator; and to provide for accurate truing of grinding wheels of different shapes, including those wheels which have portions which vary in diameter. The invention has further for its object to provide numerous other improvements in construction and mode of operation, all of which are illustrated on the drawings, are described in the following specification, and referred to in the appended claims.

The machine, which I have illustrated as constituting an embodiment of my invention, may be provided with grinding wheels of different kinds or shapes, so that it may be used in the grinding of a bar having a predetermined diameter or it may be uti lized in grinding bars having portions of different diameters, all at one operation, so that the machine is capable of 'a great variety of uses in finishing work having quite widely varying characteristics. It is semiautomatic in character; that is, it requires that the operator shall insert the work manually in position to be engaged by the work supports. After the machine is set in operation by the operator, however, the grinding operation is automatically performed and the machine is brought to a state of rest when the operation is completed. While the feed is automatic, yet the operator may manually advance the work rapidly into grinding position without interfering with the operation of the automatic feed. The parts are preferably so arranged and operated that, when the work has been fed to a predetermined extent, the operation of the feeding mechanism is reversed and the work and the wheel are separated and the feeding mechanism. brought to a state of'rest with the work and the wheel in relatively retracted positions. With the cessation of the operation of the feeding mechanism, the rotation of the work is stopped automatically and the work is released by the work-holding devices, and at the same time the water is shut off automatically. When afresh piece of work has been placed in position by the operator, the o erator then may, by suitable controlling evices, start the machine in operation so that the work is gripped by the work-holding devices, the work is rotated, the feeding mechanism is started in operation, and the water is turned on. In the particular embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, the work holders are supported upon swinging member movable about av fixed axis and adapted to be reciprocated longitudinall of such. axis if the character of the wor requires such reciprocation. The work holders may be bodily adjusted manually simultaneo-usly longitudinally of said axls, or

they may be reciprocated manually long tudinally of said axis, but in additlon I provide mechanism for automatically reciprocating the work holders longitudinally of the work duri the grinding operation, and I have illustrated an improved mechanism by which this may be accomplished.

I have thus briefly referred to only a few of the salient features orcharacteristics of the machine which is illustrated on the drawin the other features being described in detail in the following specification.

On the drawings,

Figure 1 represents in front elevation a grinding machine embodying the 1nvention.

Figure 2 represents an elevation of one end of the machine.

Figure 3 represents an elevation of the (other end of the machine.

Figure 4 represents, on a larger scale and in front elevation, the combined oil tank and control box on the front of the machine.

Figure 5 represents a vertical transverse section on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figures 6 and 6 together represent a longitudinal section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, all on a larger scale.

Figure 7 represents a longitudinal section Ythrough the grinding wheel and its supporting and grinding mechanism on the line 77 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 shows in section one end ofa work-supporting member and illustrates the mechanism for rotating the work, in which the spindle and center pin are rotatable.

Figure 9 represents a longitudinal section through the oil tank and control box, and shows the mechanism for effecting the automatic feed for the work.

Figure 10 illustrates the mechanism for effecting the longitudinal reciprocation of the work.

Figure 11 (Sheet 1) illustrates the con- 7 nections by which the water is automatically controlled, and shows theparts in the position which they assume when the water is shut 0E.

Figure 12 (Sheet2) shows a portion of the work-feeding mechanism, the figure representing a section on the line 1212 of Fig ure 1.

Figure 13 (Sheet 2) represents a section on the line 1313 of Figure 12 and shows the adjustable member for engaging a stop and checking the feed of the work.

Figure 14 (Sheet 3) represents a section through the grinding \vheel'on a vertical plane transverse to the machine, and illustrates the truing mechanism in operating position.

Figure 15 (Sheet 10) represents a partial development of the work-feeding worm wheel.

Figure 16 (Sheet 11) represents in longitudinal section .a portion of a grinding wheel having a single cylindrical face of t the same diameter from end to end.

Figure 17 (Sheet 11)1shows in detail a I portion of the mechanism for controlling the supply of ,water, and represents a section on the line 1717 of Figure 1.

Figure 18 (Sheet 11) represents a relief I valve which is utilized as a part of the mechanism for controlling the rotation of the work.

Figures 19 to 22 inclusive Sheet 9) illustratedifl'erent forms of work and the respective grinding wheels which may be utilized in finishing the same, each figure representing a portion of a grinding wheel and 'the work to be ground thereby.

Figure 23 (Sheet 12) illustrates a template or. control bar for the truing mechanism, and the mechanism by which said con trol bar is adjustably and removably supported. 1

Figure 24 illustrates in perspective and on an enlarged scale a portion of the bar shown in Figure 23.

Figures 25, 26 and 27 represent, on an enlarged scale, sections on the lines 25-25, 26-26, and 2727 of Figure 23.

Figure 28 illustrates more or less conventionally certain of those portions of the machine which are operated by hydraupipe connecto describe the machine i ferred to, I desire to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereby illustrated, that many different changes may be made in the machine without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims, that the phraseology herein employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and that the drawings are more or less conventional.

Proceeding to a description of the illustrated machine,50 illustrates a hollow bed having suitable front, rear and end walls. ()nthe upper face or table formed by the bed there are two upright end standards 51, 52, which at their upper ends support two parallel bars 53, 54:, one of which supports a truing mechanism and the other of which supports the work-holding and rotating mechanism.

The work carrier, on which the work supports are mounted, comprises end arms 55, 56 and a longitudinal bar or table 57 connecting the lower ends of said arms and hav ing a cylindrically concave supporting face 58, as best shown in Figures 5, 6 and 6 Preferably the arms 55, 56 are cast-in hollow form for the sake of lightness, and they are clamped to the bar 54. The upper portions of the arms may be split andprovided with clamping screws 59. As a result of this construction, the work carrier, by loosening the clamp screws 59, may be ad:

'justed longitudinally of the bar 54 and then clamped rigidly thereto, so that, by moving the bar axially, the work carrier may be moved therewith. By mechanism, which I shall subsequently explain, the bar may be moved manually or automatically in an axial direction for the purpose of effecting either an adjustment or a reciprocation of the work in lines parallel to the axis of the work. As shown in Figures 6 and'6- the u rights 51, 52 may be provided with tapere bush ings 60, 61, in which" the bar '54s-i's'journaled and in which it ma be moved lon itudi- The grinding wheel and its operating meow The grinding wheel, which maybe rotated continuously irrespective of the other operations of the machine, is secured upon a grinding wheel shaft indicated at 65 (see Figures 5 and 7). This shaft is journaled in a carriage indicated as a whole at '66 which is capable of adjustment horizontally and transversely of the axis of the shaft 65. To this end the carriage is gibbed on a guideway 67 which is rigidly secured on the bed 50. An abutment screw 68, journaled in a bracket secured to the front end of the guide member 67, extends intoa threaded aperture in the front end of the carriage 66-so that,-

riage and a guideway 72 to hold the grind-' ing wheel carriage against motion longitudinally of the axis of the grinding wheel shaft, whereas the tapered gibs 69 are located beneath the guide rail 73 and between it and a bar 74 bolted to the carriage, so as to confine the carriage against vertical movement. Inasmuch as the guide rail 72 has abeveled undercut complemental to a flange 75 on thecarriage, the adjustment of the tapered gibs 70 also binds the carriage against vertical movement. Thus the carriage may be held with great rigidity in any position to which it may be adjusted. The grinding wheel shaft 65 is journaled in bushings 76, 77, set

in uprights 78, 79, formed on the carriage 66. Between the uprights 78, 79, the carriage is formed with a well or receptacle for the reception of a suitable lubricating material, this well being closed by a cover 81 having a removable ca 82 through which lubricant may be intro uced into the well. At one end the grinding wheel shaft 65 is provided with a flange 83 and a reduced portion 84 to which the hub of the grinding wheel may be removably bolted or otherwise secured. Preferably the machine is provided with a plurality of interchangeable grinding wheelsfor opera-ting upon work of different kinds. Each wheel may with convenience comprise a hub 85 having an internal projecting flange 86 which may be bolted or otherwise secured to the flange 83 of the shaft 65. The flange 86 encircles the reduced end 84 of the shaft, and between them is placed a hardened steel bushing 87. The hub of the grinding wheel may with convenience be made of-aluminum or other suitable material. The rinding wheel proper, or that portion which is employed for grinding the work, is annular and is clamped between an undercut flange 88 projecting radially from the hub and a removable clamping member 89, which is likewise undercut and which is securedtothe face of the hub by screws 90. In the form shown in Figure 7, I provide three grinding or abrading members 91, 92, 93, all of which are of different diameters and which may be of different kinds of grinding material if desired. Between these members are provided additional spacing and clamping members 94, 95. The flange 88, the clamp 89, and the spacers 94. 95 form dove-tail annular grooves into which complement-a1 portions of the abrading or grinding members are clamped. In Figure16yl have shown the hub 85 as provided with a single abrading or grinding member 96 which is provided with a cylindrical exterior of the same diameter from end to end. It will be observed that in this case the member is of such axial length that it projects to some extent beyond the end of the hub, and consequently I employ a clamp 97 having an elongated hub portion 98 to accommodate the abrading or grinding member. Instead of a single cylindrical abrading member 96, a plurality of disks 96 of equal diameter may be employed as indicated in Figure 19. These grinding members may take different forms according to the character of the operation to be accomplished. In Figures 19, 20 and 21, I have shown portions of different grinding members which may be utilized. In addition to those shown in Figures 19 and 20 I have shown oneinember 99, in Figure 21, which is double tapered, and another member 100, in Figure 22. the face of which is concave. From these Figures 19 to 22 inclusive, it will be seen that, by these respective grinding or abrading members, the work may be finished or ground in different forms.

Referring once more to Figure 7, it will be observed that the grinding wheel, considered as a whole, is enclosed within a water guard 101 whichrests upon a straight flange 102 formed on the upright 78 of the carriage 66 (see Figure 3). This guard is provided with a lug or car 108 which may be clamped adjustably to the carriage 66 (see Figure-5). For this purpose, the carriage may be provided with an undercut groove 104 into which the head of a clamp-. ing bolt 105 may be inserted, and on the end of which a nut 106 is screwed. As a matter of construction, anti-friction balls 107 may be located between the guard 101 and the flange 102 to support the weight of the guard and make it easy to adjust the guard. The guard is provided with a face cover 108. The front portion of the guard 1s open, as shown in Figure 5, so that the work may be brou ht into engagement with the grinding whee and the lower portion of the guard is flared downwardly somewhat as at 109 so as to deliver the water which is carried thereinto by the grinding wheel. Any suitable means may be utilized for driving the grinding wheel at the desired speed. In Figure 3, I have illustrated at 110 an electric motor,

the frame of which is bolted to the rear wall of the bed 50. The rotor shaft 111' of the motor is provided with a pulley 112 from which power is transmitted to the various operative portions of the grinding machine, including the grinding wheel shaft. belt 113, which is driven by the pulley 112, tracks about a pulley 114 which is axially alined with the grinding wheel shaft and ,which transmits power thereto. The pulley 114 might be mounted directly on the end of the grinding wheel shaft 65, but I regard it as highly desirable that this shaft should be relieved of any torsional strains to which it would be subjected if the pulley were secured directly thereto. Consequently the pulley is keyed to a shaft 115 which is in approximate axial alinement with the shaft 65 but which is mounted in a bearing frame rlgidly secured to the upright 79 of the carriage 66. This bearing frame is indicated at 116 and it is secured by screws 117 to a boss formed on the upright 79 of the carriage 66. The shaft 115 is journaled in ball bearings 118, 119, with which the bearing frame is supplied and which hold it against axial movement. Between the two shafts 115 and 65, I employ a universal drive which comprises a cross pin 120 passed through a transverse aperture in the end of the shaft 65 and which is capable of rocking about its axisv therein. To the shaft 115, there is secured a head 121 having shouldered sockets into which the ends of the pin 120 project. The ends of the pins may be flattened to provide faces to engage the end walls of the sockets. The flat faces 122, 123 on the pin-120 are preferably at a slight angle to each other, and the complemental faces of the sockets in the head 121 overlap them a relatively short distance to cause the pin 120 to be slightly rotated about its axis so that both faces are under equal pressure and thus transmit a balanced drive to the shaft 65. By providing this balanced or universal drive, it is not absolutely essential that the axes of the shafts 115 and 65 should be in exact alinement, as power will be transmitted to the grinding wheel shaft under all normal operating conditions, even though the alinement is not perfect. Consequently, since the belt strain is removed from the grinding wheel ,shaft 65, the life of the bushingsin which it is journaled will be greatly prolonged and there will be no tendency to bend or distort the shaft. The belt 113, which transmits power to the grinding wheel shaft, passes under a pulley 124 on what I may term the main drive shaft 125, and also under a belt-tightening pulley 126, as shown in Figure 3. This last-mentioned pulley 126 is journaled in a swinging frame 127 on a stud shaft 128 so that the pulley 126 is helddownwardly by the force of gravity to take up any slack in the belt. To this swinging The 

